Over the intercom system, an announcement was being made about an American Airlines flight. "Hang on a second," I said. I put my hand across the mouthpiece. I'd missed the specifics, but it had to be the boarding call for the flight to Palm Beach. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the guy pick up the duffel, and together he and the pregnant woman moved out of the terminal, turning left toward the American Airlines departure gate. I could feel my heart pound. I turned my attention back to Chester. "Is Rawson okay?"
"Hey, we got cop cars all over and an ambulance on the way. He don't look so good. What's all the racket? I can hardly hear you."
"That's why I called. I'm at the airport," I said. "I saw a guy coming out of the apartment with a duffel. It looks like he and some woman are about to get on a plane. I tailed him this far, but once we lose track of that bag, it's only my word against his."
"Hang on. I'll grab Bucky and head out. Just don't let go of him until we get there."
"Chester, the plane's boarding. Do you know what he took?"
"I have no idea. I can't even get in until the place clears out. What about airport security? Can't they give you a hand?"
"What airport security? There's not an officer in sight. I'm here by myself."
"Well, for God's sake, do something."
I flashed through the possibilities. "Authorize a ticket and I'll follow him," I said.
"To where?"
"The plane's on its way to Palm Beach with a stop in Dallas. Make up your mind because two minutes more and he's out of here."
"Do it. We'll settle later. Call me when you can."
I banged the receiver down and checked the departures monitor again in passing. Beside the posted departure time for American flight 508, the word boarding was blinking merrily. The terminal had emptied of waiting passengers, who were apparently assembling at the gate. I trotted across the lobby to the American Airlines ticket counter. One of the two agents was busy with a passenger, but the other caught my eye. "I can help you over here."
I moved to her station. "Are there any seats available on the flight to Palm Beach?" I had no idea if the couple were on their way to Dallas or Palm Beach, but I had to assume the latter if I intended to stick with them.
"Let me see what we have. I know the flight's not full." She began to type rapidly on the computer keyboard in front of her, pausing while her eye took in the data appearing on the screen in front of her. "We have seventeen seats… twelve in coach and five in first class."
"What's coach fare?"
"Four hundred and eighty-seven dollars."
That wasn't bad. "And that's round trip?"
"One way."
"Four hundred and eighty-seven dollars one way?" My voice squeaked like I had just that minute reached puberty.
"Yes, ma'am."
"I'll take it," I said. "You better leave the return open-ended. I'm not sure how long I'll be staying." The truth was, I had no idea where the couple was headed. Their real destination could be Mexico, South America, or just about anywhere. I hadn't seen any sign of passports changing hands, but I couldn't rule out the possibility. Since this wasn't the same agent who'd dealt with the pregnant woman, there wasn't any point in quizzing her. I pulled out my wallet and took out a credit card, which I placed on the counter. She didn't seem to question the wisdom of the impulse. Oh, man. Chester had better pay up or I was sunk.
"Would you prefer an aisle seat or window?"
"Aisle. Near the front." For all I knew the couple would be first off the plane, and I wanted to be ready to cut and run when they did.
She typed another entry, tapping away in a leisurely manner. "You have bags to check?"
"Just carry-on," I said. I wanted to scream at her to hurry, but there wasn't any point. The ticket machine began to rattle and hum, generating my ticket, the boarding pass, and the credit card voucher, which I signed where specified. I could feel my eyes cross slightly when I saw what I'd paid. The round-trip coach fare without benefit of upgrade certificates or advance purchase discounts had cost me $974. I did some quick arithmetic. The limit on this credit card was $2,500, and I was still paying off some purchases I'd made over the summer. By my calculations, I had about four hundred bucks left. Oh, well. It wasn't like I didn't have money in my savings account. I just couldn't get to it at this hour of the night.